Cranberry’s best benefits go beyond the bladder

If you only turn to cranberries for bladder help, you’re missing out. The benefits of this underrated berry are so great, researchers believe they are just beginning to understand the superpowers cranberries can bestow on the human body.

Jenny Smiechowski

What’s the first thing you do when you feel the burning pain of a urinary tract infection coming on? Reach for the cranberry juice, of course. And you’re not the only one. Cranberry juice is the go-to remedy of UTI-sufferers everywhere.

Nowadays, even your doctor is probably on-board with using cranberries to promote bladder health. The body of research behind it is that strong. Researchers have been studying the cranberry’s effect on your bladder for over 50 years. And one recent study found that chronic UTI-sufferers cut the frequency of their infections by 40 percent just by drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day.

But if you only turn to cranberries for your bladder emergencies, then you’re missing out. Because the health benefits of this tart little berry are whole lot sweeter than you ever thought…

In the latest issue of Advances in Nutrition, a team of international researchers decided that cranberries don’t just benefit your bladder, they benefit your whole body. Scientists have known for a while now that cranberries are packed with cancer-fighting polyphenols. But now they also know that cranberries contain other bioactive compounds that work with these polyphenols to:

• Improve your gut health
• Strengthen your immune system
• Keep your heart healthy
• Balance your blood sugar

In fact, the health benefits of this well-known but often underrated berry are so great, that researchers believe they are just beginning to understand the many ways cranberries can help the human body.

“The bioactives in cranberry juice, dried cranberries and a variety of other cranberry sources have been shown to promote an array of beneficial health effects,” said Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. “Given the complex nature and diversity of compounds found in berry fruits and how they interact with each other, I believe we have only scratched the surface when it comes to identifying the potential power of the cranberry.”

Of course, when it comes to treating UTIs, cranberries are effective because they prevent bacteria from taking root in your body. And it’s this ability that’s gotten a lot of attention recently — especially as antibiotic resistance becomes a bigger and bigger problem.

In fact, researchers from UMass Dartmouth recently concluded that cranberries could play an important role in antibiotic development down the line. That’s because cranberries contain compounds known as proanthocyanidins (PACs) that block bacteria from adhering to your tissues. And if bacteria can’t adhere to you, they can’t infect you.

So it turns out this small super-berry does a lot more than just fight a little bladder bacteria…

It promotes whole-body health — which means it’s time to start drinking more than the occasional UTI-related cup of cranberry juice. Drink cranberry juice, take cranberry supplements or eat cranberries daily. Just avoid over-sweetened products like cranberry juice cocktail and canned cranberry sauce… unless it’s Thanksgiving, of course… still homemade is best!

Sources:

1. B. Blumberg, A. Basu, C.G. Krueger, M. Lila. “Impact of Cranberries on Gut Microbiota and Cardiometabolic Health: Proceedings of the Cranberry Health Research Conference 2015.” Advances in Nutrition. July 2016. 7: 759S-770S.

2. Gupta, B. Song, C. Netob, T.A. Camesanoa “Atomic force microscopy-guided fractionation reveals the influence of cranberry phytochemicals on adhesion of Escherichia coli.” Food & Function Issue 6, 2016.

3. C. Maki, K.L Kaspar, C. Khoo, L.H. Derrig, A.L. Schild and K. Gupta. “Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. June 2016, v.103 no. 6, 1434-1442.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/cranberrys-best-benefits-beyond-bladder/

Olive oil converts cholesterol more easily into testosterone

The more fat you eat, the more testosterone your body produces. More fat, more testosterone. The best source of testosterone boosting fat, Argentinean researchers concluded after a study on rats, is olive oil.


Olive oil helps the testes to absorb more cholesterol.

The researchers, working at the Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquimicas de La Plata, did an experiment with male rats. For sixty days, the rats were given feed to which seventy grams of soya oil [S], olive oil [O], coconut oil [C] or grapeseed oil [G] per kilogram had been added. At the end of the period the researchers measured how much testosterone the animals were producing. The figure below shows that coconut oil and olive oil were the besttestosterone boosters.

The testes of the rats that had had olive oil added to their feed were also heavier. Because the grapeseed oil diet produced the same results as the soya oil diet, we have left that column out of the table below.

The Argentineans described how this happens in anotther publication. Olive oil and coconut oil increase the activity of the 3-beta-HSD and 17-beta-HSD enzymes. These are involved in the manufacture of testosterone. Olive oil and coconut oil also raise the concentration of the body's own antioxidants in the Leydig cells, which produce testosterone. In this study, the researchers went a step further. They found a relationship between the diet, the amount of free cholesterol in the Leydig cells and the testosterone level.

The Leydig cells make testosterone from cholesterol. A diet that is rich in coconut oil or olive oil apparently helps the cells to absorb more cholesterol. The cells are also more able to extract the cholesterol from its ester. The more free cholesterol a Leydig cell has available, and the less estered cholesterol there is in a cell, the higher the rate of testosterone production.

So natural athletes could optimise their testosterone production by making olive oil their main source of fat. Maybe this strategy works even better if you also add some cranberries to your diet. Cranberries, although they not raise testosterone production by themselves, [Br J Nutr. 2010 Oct;104(8):1181-9.]increase the uptake of cholesterol by the testes.

Source:
Lipids. 2009 Apr;44(4):345-57.

More: 

More adrenalin through olive oil 23.06.2009
Life-extending effect of virgin olive oil shown in fat rats 22.05.2009
Live longer with healthy fats 30.12.2008

http://www.ergo-log.com/olivetest.html

This post is on Healthwise

Cranberry - The Native American Healing Remedy That Kills Cancer

May 21, 2013

The Native Americans were on to something with this ruby berry…they used it as a healing remedy and food. It kills germs, speeds skin healing, and reduces fevers. And now, researchers have found it fights cancer.

Best of all…it does what no mainstream cancer treatment has been able to do. It leaves healthy cells alone, targeting only cancer cells.

A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture showed the berry extract prevented cancer cells from breaking off and spreading to healthy cells.1 And it inhibited the growth of human lung, colon, and leukemia cancer cells.

A study from Canada confirmed the berry’s cancer-fighting properties.2 Prostate cancer cells self-destructed when exposed to the berry extract.

Did you know? Cranberries are one of only three fruits native to North America. The others include the blueberry and the Concord grape. All are rich in antioxidants that help fight off free radicals and diseases.

You definitely don’t get the same results with chemo.

The tart berry the Native Americans knew to be a powerful disease fighter?

The cranberry…

Probably best known for treating urinary tract infections, cranberries are a powerhouse of antioxidants.

Two flavanols found in cranberries are quercetin and ursolic acid. Both have shown to prevent inflammation and inhibit tumors.3

Cranberries also contain anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PACs). It’s these compounds that give the berry their scarlet color. They are also potent factors in cancer inhibition. Especially PACs.

Cranberry PACs have a special structure that blocks enzyme activity and pathways leading to cancer.4 They also interrupt cell signaling that could be harmful to the body.

There are many ways to include cranberries in your diet. You can enjoy them fresh, dried, and frozen. You can even reap the benefits by enjoying a glass of 100 percent organic cranberry juice. Just make sure to check the label for no added sugar. And not from concentrate.

When selecting fresh cranberries choose plump and firm to the touch. And don’t forget—the redder the better. The deeper the color, the higher the concentration of healing antioxidants.

Cranberries lose some of their nutritional value when cooked. So whenever possible, eat them fresh.

If you don’t care for the taste or want to ensure you are getting the maximum health benefits, cranberry supplements are available. You can buy them in pill, liquid, or powder form.

 

References:
1 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.2347/abstract
2 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21161819
3 http://nutrition.highwire.org/content/137/1/186S.full
4 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20626034

Related Articles:

• A Tropical Fruit That Keeps Cancer at Bay
• A Sweet and Natural Way to Prevent Colon Cancer
• The Medicine of Kings That Kills Cancer
• The Holy Grail of Skin Cancer Prevention
• The Once Forbidden Fruit that Keeps Cancer Away

http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2013/05/the-native-american-healing-remedy-that-kills-cancer/#Continue

Cranberry For Prostate Health

Dr. Geo Espinosa | Mar 07, 2013 | Comments 1

If you thought cranberry was good just for fighting urinary tract infections and eating as cranberry sauce, then it’s time to introduce you to how this small, tart berry can benefit prostate health. In fact, cranberry has demonstrated usefulness in managing symptoms of prostatitis and in the fight against prostate cancer.

What’s Special About Cranberry?

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are excellent sources of vitamin C and other antioxidants, especially a group known as proanthocyanidins (PACs). A unique type of PAC called B-type PACs are found in cranberries, and only these PACs can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.

As you may know, about half of men can expect to experience a prostate condition called prostatitis during their lifetime. By far, the most common type of prostatitis is chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, which is characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms such as urinary urgency, the need to get up often during the night to urinate, dribbling and painful urination.

Cranberries And The Prostate

The ability of cranberries to help relieve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was seen in a study of 42 men who had chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, which is often referred to as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). All the men were assigned to take either 1,500 mg of dried powdered cranberries or no cranberry supplement daily for six months.

By the end of the study, men who had taken the cranberry supplement showed a significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms when compared with men in the control group. The study’s authors concluded that their findings were “the first firm evidence that cranberries may ameliorate LUTS, independent of benign prostatic hyperplasia.” ^[1]

Cranberries also showed evidence of relieving prostatitis symptoms in another study. That study involved 48 rats with chronic bacterial prostatitis that were given either cranberry, ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic), E. coli extract or no intervention. After four weeks, the rats given cranberry showed significantly reduced growth of bacteria and inflammation of the prostate when compared with the control group. The best results were seen in the ciprofloxacin group. ^[2]

Cancer Effect

Another prostate condition that has responded to cranberries is prostate cancer. At the University of Prince Edward Island, scientists evaluated the impact of various extracts of cranberry on human prostate cancer cell growth. They discovered that cranberry extracts “can affect the behavior of human prostate cancer cells” and that their findings “further support the potential health benefits associated with cranberries.” ^[3]

Finally, here’s a benefit of cranberry that affects prostate cancer, urinary tract infections and LUTS. A recent study in Cancer Management and Research reported that a cranberry extract was effective in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections and LUTS in men who were undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Specifically, of the 184 men given cranberry extract, only 16 (8.7 percent) experienced a urinary tract infection associated with radiation therapy, compared with 45 of 186 men (24.2 percent) in the control group. The researchers also reported a lower rate of LUTS among men in the cranberry group. ^[4]

While you can still enjoy the benefits of cranberry for help in the prevention of urinary tract infections, there are other ways men can benefit from this tart fruit. Consider the cranberry for supporting prostate health and look for it in supplements for prostate health. The suggested dose of cranberry supplement is 500 mg daily, but always check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement program.

For more information on prostate health, see prostate.net.

Sources

[1] The effectiveness of dried cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=vidlar+AND+cranberry
[2] Do Escherichia coli extract and cranberry exert preventive effects on chronic bacterial prostatitis?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21042827
[3] American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) extract affects human prostate cancer cell growth via cell cycle arrest by modulating expression of cell cycle regulators.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22388548
[4] Enteric-coated, highly standardized cranberry extract reduces risk of UTIs and urinary symptoms during radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3437800/

Source:  Cranberry For Prostate Health

Can Cranberries Lower Blood Sugar?

Fact or Myth: Can Cranberries Lower Blood Sugar?

Danica Collins | More

 

This is a FACT.

The research is in: cranberries do lower blood sugar! The tartly delicious cranberry is the latest food targeted by researchers in an effort to find natural methods to treat and prevent disease.

Indigenous to the United States, Canada and a few areas of Europe, cranberries are part of the Ericaceae family and have been used by Native Americans medicinally and ceremonially for centuries.

Fresh, canned, dried or juice varieties offer something for everyone. Fresh cranberries are available September through December and store well in the refrigerator for several days and in the freezer for several years. Fresh and frozen berries offer the highest concentrations of antioxidants.

Cranberries pair well with citrus, apples and nuts and are delicious added to baked goods or sprinkled over salads or in yogurt.

Cranberries have five times the antioxidants of broccoli. The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry rated cranberries number one in antioxidant abundance out of 19 other commonly consumed fruits. Simply by adding an eight-ounce glass of cranberry juice to your diet each day, you can drastically improve your total body health.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Cranberries

1. Blood sugar: Low in sugar and high in fiber, cranberries reduce blood sugar and help regulate glucose levels throughout the day. Cranberries are recommended for type 2 diabetics.
2. Urinary tract infections: Cranberries are high in natural antibacterial compounds called proanthocyanidins, which prevent and treat urinary tract, bladder and digestive infections.
3. Kidney stones: Quinic acid in cranberries dissolves calcium deposits that form kidney stones.
4. Cholesterol: Cranberry polyphenols raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also prevent the formation of plaque which leads to hardening of the arteries and is one of the leading causes of heart disease.
5. Cancer: Cranberries stop the growth of cancer cells and halt their ability to multiply and spread. Studies to date have focused on using cranberry extract to treat breast, lung, prostate and colon.
6. Heart health: Cranberries improve blood vessel function, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and helping you make a faster recovery after a stroke. They also help to prevent brain cell death.
7. Brain function: Anti-inflammatory properties help protect overall brain function. Improvement of memory, focus and relief of stress are just some of the brain-friendly benefits.
8. Oral hygiene: The acids in cranberries have been connected to a decreased risk of plaque, gingivitis and cavities.
9. Immunity boost: Cranberries flush toxins and remove free radicals, stimulating your immune system to do what it does best – get you healthy and keep you there.
10. Weight loss: The acids in cranberry juice break down fats and flush them from the body. Cranberries are high in fiber and assist in digestion and the efficient absorption of other nutrients. The unique blend of vitamins and minerals also boosts energy levels and stimulates the metabolism, giving you more energy and burning more fat.

Using fresh berries and making your own juice at home will give you the optimum antioxidant protection, but choosing unsweetened, 100% cranberry juice is also excellent.

Consider adding this tart fruit to your regular diet. Not only do cranberries lower blood sugar, but they are also filled with nutrition that fortifies your total body health.

Further Related Reading:

• Can Cranberries Smooth Away Cellulite?
• Healthy Juice Alert
• African Star Grass Surprising Treatment for UTI & Enlarged Prostate

Source: Fact or Myth: Can Cranberries Lower Blood Sugar?

Top ten consumer questions about superfruit juices

The top ten consumer questions about superfruit juices: Pomegranate, blueberry, acai and cherry

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...)

This Q&A report is a follow up from our hugely popular Pomegranate and Blueberry Juice Consumer Shopping Guide, which exposes dishonest juice products sold in grocery stores. Many readers are asking great questions about these products: Is raw better than pasteurized? Is reconstituted juice as good as freshly squeezed? Is the plastic bottle a threat to health? Must the juices be organic to be healthful?

This follow-up report attempts to answer these questions. Some of the information here is borrowed from the consumer shopping guide mentioned above.

Here are the big questions we're being asked about superfruit juices (along with answers for each one).

The top consumer questions about superfruit juices

#1: Are pasteurized superfruit juice as healthy as raw juices?

No. Raw fruit juice is always healthier than pasteurized. Heat processing destroys a significant portion of the nutrients found in raw juice.

#2: Is the Bisphenol-A chemical in the plastic containers used with fruit juices a threat to my health?

A small threat, perhaps, but the health benefits of drinking superfruit juices greatly outweigh the health risks of plastics chemicals. Still, it's better to drink such juices from glass containers, not plastic.

#3: Are organic fruit juices healthier than non-organic?

Yes! Organic fruits have much higher concentrations of phytonutrients (natural plant medicines), vitamins and minerals. Organic farming is also better for the environment. But even non-organic superfruits are very good for your health, and in my opinion, the health benefits of the natural fruit juices far outweighs the cancer risk of pesticide residues.

#4: Why do you call apple juice and grape juice "junk juices?"

Many superfruit juice products that claim "pomegranate" or "blueberry" on the front label are actually made mostly with cheaper juices such as grape and apple. These are fillers juices that have very little nutritional value compared to pomegranate, blueberry, acai and others.

#5: Are juices made from concentrate as good as juices made fresh?

No! Juices from concentrate are usually imported from growers around the world (including China), then reconstituted with water. The process of removing the water in the first place causes a loss of some nutrients. Reconstituted fruit juice is never as nutritionally potent as fresh fruit juice.

There is also no requirement that juice companies list the country of origin for their juice concentrates. For all you know, they may have been imported from China or some other country famous for exporting contaminated products.

#6: What are the ingredients to watch out for on superfruit juice labels?

Watch out for use of the following:

• High fructose corn syrup (a refined sweetener linked to diabetes and obesity)
• Sugar (refined table sugar)
• Sucrose (also a refined sugar)
• Sodium benzoate (a dangerous chemical preservative)
• Apple juice (a filler juice and natural sweetener)
• Grape juice (also used as a filler juice, better than sugars but still cheaper than superfruit juices

#7: How do I shop for a superfruit juice product?

Here's some quick advice:

Top choice: 100% pure superfruit juice, made from fresh fruits (not from concentrate), packaged in glass. These are by far the most expensive juice drinks on the market.

Good choice: 100% pure superfruit juice, made from concentrate, packaged in plastic.

Poor choice: Juice blends containing some amount of superfruit juice (but mostly apple juice and grape juice or water), made from concentrate, packaged in plastic.

Stupid choice: Juice drinks made with high fructose corn syrup and water, containing a small amount of actual juice, packaged in plastic. These are by far the cheapest juice drinks on the market.

#8: What are the healthiest fruit juices, and what are they good for?

Pomegranate: Anti-cancer, protects the heart and cardiovascular system

Blueberry: Lowers high cholesterol, protects the nervous system from oxidative damage (many people can eliminate statin drugs by eating more blueberries)

Acai: Anti-cancer, reduces digestive cancer risk, supports healthy nervous system function

Noni: Extremely potent anti-cancer, immune-boosting fruit (tastes terrible, though, if it's real)

Cherry: Anti-inflammatory. Reduces or ends arthritis pain. Anthocyanins are also anti-cancer.

Cranberry: Well known to eliminate urinary tract infections (and even helps protect you from airborne viral infections).

In fact, the simple thing to remember is that every berry contains natural medicines and the smaller the berry, the more potent the medicine. So large berries like cherries, strawberries and grapes are not nearly as medicinally potent as tiny berries like cranberries, black raspberries, red raspberries, acai and red currants. The more vibrant the color of the berry, the more medicine it contains. Strong or bright colors indicate higher density of natural medicine.

To get the most benefits, eat a large diversity of berries on a regular basis. Don't just stick to eating or drinking one type of berry. Instead, seek out a wide variety of berries and other superfruits.

#9: Can juice products cure my cancer?

Probably not by themselves. Beating cancer with nutrition almost always requires these things:

• Daily consumption of raw plants from the allium family (garlic is best)
• Daily consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli)
• Massive intake of vitamin D (under supervision of a naturopath)
• Daily consumption of raw, freshly blended fruit and vegetable juices (includ beet, ginger, kale and all the superfruits you can find...)
• Total body cleansing, including liver cleanse, kidney cleanse and digestive cleanse
• Supplementation with trace minerals like selenium
• Regular physical exercise that makes you sweat (sweating is the body's way to eliminate toxins)
• Completely eliminating all smoking, eating processed foods and using common personal care products or cosmetics (which contain cancer-causing chemicals)
• Daily consumption of medicinal mushrooms like Reishi (recommended brand: www.MushroomScience.com)
• Daily consumption of anti-cancer rainforest herbs (like Cat's Claw or Una de Gato: See http://www.NaturalNews.com/Report_Amazon_Herb_Company_0.html

As always, be sure to work with a naturopathic physician if you're battling cancer.

#10: What brands of superfruit juice do you trust?

I don't trust any brands. I read the ingredients on everything. Sometimes the same company sells a crap product right next to a quality product. Don't trust brands, and don't trust corporations. Trust only yourself: Read the ingredients!


Additional information from the report

Here's a reprint of some summary information from our Pomegranate and Blueberry Juice Consumer Guide:

1. All the products reviewed here are dead! In other words, even the "honest" products are still made of dead, pasteurized fruits. None of these juices are raw, freshly-squeezed juices, which means they don't even come close to the nutritional value of raw, fresh juices.

The POM Wonderful company disagrees with that statement. Their website counters:

"In order to ensure that you are consuming a safe and healthy beverage, POM Wonderful flash-pasteurizes all its flavors of pomegranate juice. Flash-pasteurization is a process that involves a short period of heating to ensure the elimination of any bacteria. Your safety is our highest priority. Flash-pasteurization also involves a period of rapid cooling in order to retain flavor and nutrients. Flash-pasteurization does not reduce the healthy antioxidants that are found in POM Wonderful pomegranate juice."

However, it is my experience that heating always results in some loss of nutritional value of plant juices. Although the amount of this loss may be small, it is not zero. The actual amount of nutrition that's lost varies on many factors, including the type of nutrients being measured, the temperature to which they are heated and the duration of exposure. The higher the heat and the longer the exposure, the more nutrients are destroyed. That's why pasteurized orange juice, for example, is nutritionally inferior to freshly-squeezed orange juice.

The same is true with pomegranate juice, or blueberry juice, or even cherry juice. Nothing is quite as good as the fresh juices, which is why I strongly recommend the daily consumption of blended smoothies using a Vita-Mix and some raw, fresh ingredients. When you can get pomegranate seeds in season, it's always better to eat them fresh. They're crunchy and sweet, so buy 'em when you can.

When you can't get them in season, juice is the next best thing, and virtually all the juices on the market are made from concentrate. They still offer outstanding health benefits, including proven abilities to help prevent prostate cancer, for example, but they're not as medicinally potent as fresh pomegranate seeds.

2. Most of these pomegranate / blueberry juice products come in plastic containers. Plastics, you may know, often contain the bisphenol-A chemical which is thought to contribute to various cancers. The best products come in glass containers, not plastic. (I recommend buying fruit juices in glass wherever possible.)

3. There are likely pesticide residues in the non-organic juice products. Pesticides aren't listed on the ingredients label, but they're nonetheless present. However, the benefits of consuming these superfruits far outweighs the health effects of trace pesticide consumption, in my opinion, so from a personal perspective, you're still protecting your health with these juice products even if you consume some pesticide residues. For the record, I do not support pesticide use in agriculture and I believe that consumers should buy organic products whenever possible.

4. Some of the healthiest products taste the most bitter. The best-tasting products likely use filler juices such as apple juice and grape juice (which tastes sugary!). Pure pomegranate juice is somewhat bitter and not at all super sweet. So don't judge the quality of these products by how good they taste. The best taste may mean the worst nutrition.

5. Juice concentrates are never as good as fresh juices. Of all the brands reviewed here, most were made from juice concentrates. This means the pomegranates are harvested, blended and dried (usually at high temperatures), then shipped to another facility where the concentrate is re-hydrated, then pasteurized (heated again) and shipped off to the grocery stores. While this process keeps costs down and makes these products more affordable, it also destroys some of the medicinal phytonutrients found in pomegranate juice.

6. Country of origin labeling is not mandatory. Where does all the pomegranate concentrate come from for the products that use concentrate? Nobody knows! One company does say their concentrate is from Turkey, but other companies list nothing. I can tell you from experience that some of this stuff comes from China and is probably contaminated with various heavy metals or scary agricultural toxins. China is the cheapest sources for just about everything in the food and supplement business, but it's also the most highly contaminated source in the world. Sadly, there is no requirement for juice companies to list the country of origin for their juice concentrates.

7. Watch the sugar content of these juices. The other thing to remember with juices made from concentrate is that they tend to be very high in natural sugars, yet they lack the natural fibers found in the original plant. Why does that matter? Because it alters the glycemic index of the juice.

Eight oz. of pomegranate juice (one serving) can deliver over 30 grams of sugars. That's more than two servings of a sweetened breakfast cereal. It's a lot of sugar to deal with. And if you're diabetic or hypoglycemic, you should never drink these juices on an empty stomach. When you eat real pomegranate seeds, you see, the natural seed fibers slow the absorption of the pomegranate sugars. So the glycemic index of pomegranate seeds is far lower than the glycemic index of pomegranate juice. Keep this in mind when planning your consumption of this juice.

Tips: Eat a salad or other high-fiber foods before consuming juices made from concentrate (including pom juice, grape juice, orange juice, blueberry juice or even apple juice). These might include a bowl of oatmeal with extra oat bran, a fresh apple (which contains plenty of fiber), whole grains that are well-chewed, or fiber supplements such as glucomannan. You might also add cinnamon to your oatmeal or breakfast cereal, since cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and effectively lowers the glycemic index of anything you eat during the same meal.

However, it should be noted that pomegranate sugars are somewhat unique in that they do not spike blood sugar levels as easily as other fruit sugars. It's a mysterious effect, actually, and scientists are not sure why pomegranate juice seems to be so mild in its blood sugar effects. This makes it the ideal juice for diabetics, as it also helps reduce atherosclerosis risks in diabetics. Read Pomegranate Juice Could Benefit Diabetics for more details.

This is also a good reason to go with the higher-quality pomegranate juices mentioned here rather than low-quality juice blends made with apple juice or grape juice (both of which are high on the glycemic index scale). Pure pomegranate juice is far better for your blood sugar than a blend of apple juice or grape juice.


More details on the plastics question

There is increasing concern today about the health effects of eating foods or drinking liquids packaged in plastic. Since most pomegranate juices are packaged in plastic bottles, this is a reasonable concern.

The offending chemical usually cited in this context is bisphenol-A, a hormone mimicker. Many health experts believe that the rise on hormone-related cancers in western societies today is due, in part, to all of the synthetic hormone-like chemicals found in foods, drugs and packaging. Thus, if people are drinking pomegranate juice to help prevent prostate cancer, doesn't it seem contradictory that the juice would be packaged in plastic containers believed to contribute to prostate cancer?

The real answer, in my educated opinion, is found in the heat factor. Plastic releases more chemicals when it is heated. As a result, cooking foods in plastic may be extremely hazardous to your health, but eating liquids stored in cold plastic may, in fact, only expose you to a tiny fraction of the same chemicals. Although this is not a scientific number, here's a reasonable estimation: Food heated in plastic may generate 500 times the bisphenol-A contamination as food kept cold in plastic containers. Thus, cold plastic containers seem relatively safe.

But don't think you're safe yet! The real question here is: What was the temperature of the juice when it was poured into the plastic bottle at the manufacturing facility? For food safety reasons, it would make operational sense to flash-pasteurize the pomegranate juice and pour it into the bottles as quickly as possible, sealing them from possible bacterial contamination. If this is true, it would mean that high-temperature juice comes into contact with the plastic container, and this could be an opportunity for the release of bisphenol-A.

However, I am not a beverage production engineer, and I'm not familiar with the exact process used by juice bottling companies. In any case, regardless of the above, the safest containers are glass because they don't emit any bisphenol-A chemicals whatsoever. In fact, there's nothing harmful in glass, and it's the container of choice for health-conscious consumers.

Of course, glass breaks easily, and it's heavy. These two factors make plastic the obvious choice for cost-conscious companies who are mass-marketing their juices through the retail channels (grocery stores, etc.) But make no mistake: glass is the container of choice for health-conscious consumers.


How much superfruit juice should I drink?

With all the good news about pomegranate juice, many people wonder exactly how much juice they should drink. I find this to be a curious question, borrowed from the pharmaceutical mindset of the population where everything has to have a dosage and side effects disclaimer.

My opinion? Drink as much as you want. This isn't some drug. You can't overdose on pomegranate juice. Just drink at least one serving (8 oz.) a day if you want any serious health benefits.

Pom juice is an excellent addition to any smoothie, by the way, and I've published a collection of healthy smoothie recipes in my book, Superfood Smoothies.


Are the health benefits of pomegranate really so miraculous?

Yes they are. If the drug companies had come up with this, they'd call it a miracle drug and try to get it prescribed to everyone. But it's from nature, not a drug company, so it can't be patented, marketed and sold at ridiculous profits. That's why this genuine natural medicine is only a couple of bucks per serving (or dose).

In my view, it's one of the best investments in your health. For less than the price of a cup of coffee at Starbucks, you can have an anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer's, anti-heart disease, anti-diabetes drink that's delicious and healthful. That beats a can of sugar water soda any day!

Remember: The best medicine comes from nature. Plants are like tiny pharmaceutical factories, and they synthesize natural medicines automatically, using soil, sunshine, air and water. It's amazing, but true. These medicines are what the human body was intended to eat, not the processed factory food advertised on television and stocked in grocery store shelves. Food made by man will probably kill you. But food made by nature will heal you, and pomegranate juice is made entirely by nature. Get it fresh if you can, or mininally processed as a second choice.

Scientists today have only begun to explore the healing benefits of pomegranate juice. In the years ahead, even more medicinal benefits will almost certainly be found. I predict that pomegranate juice will one day be prescribed as preventive medicine to halt cancers and protect cardiovascular health. One thing for sure is that drinking pomegranate juice has no negative side effects. You'll be healthier and happier by consuming this miraculous fruit on a daily basis.

Enjoy!

Source: The top ten consumer questions about superfruit juices: Pomegranate, blueberry, acai and cherry

Protecting the Prostate

December 2012

by Chris D. Meletis, N.D.

If you’re a man and your prostate isn’t bothering you, chances are good you’re not spending much time thinking about this walnut-sized gland. And if it is bothering you with either painful or just annoying urinary tract symptoms, you’re probably thinking about it a lot, whether you want to or not.

Either way, paying attention to the health of this small gland can have big benefits. That’s because even if you don’t feel as if there’s anything wrong with your prostate, two of the most pressing male prostate health concerns can be symptom-free.

Some men with an enlarged prostate—known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—don’t have symptoms. Additionally, early-stage prostate cancer is also often silent. This means that there could be something wrong with your prostate and you wouldn’t even know it without an exam from your doctor.

The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system. It secretes a milky fluid that usually constitutes 20 to 30 percent of the semen, along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid. The prostate also contains smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation. Furthermore, the urethra runs through the prostate, so changes in prostate structure can impact urinary function.

In this article, I’m going to discuss the three most common prostate challenges—benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and prostate cancer—what you can do to reduce your risk of developing these conditions and effective approaches to take if you already have these health concerns.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH, an enlarged prostate gland, is the most common urologic disease in men over age 50. New evidence indicates that it’s associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. At the European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress on September 24, 2011, researchers reported that in subjects followed for more than 27 years, clinical benign prostate hyperplasia was associated with a two- to three-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer. BPH also was associated with a two- to eight-fold increased risk of them dying from prostate cancer.¹

BPH symptoms range from non-existent to mild and barely noticeable to more serious. Interestingly, a larger prostate doesn’t necessarily mean more severe symptoms. It’s possible for serious symptoms to occur with a prostate that is only slightly enlarged, while men with a significantly enlarged prostate may experience few if any symptoms.

BPH symptoms include:

• Difficulty urinating (hesitancy and straining)
• Decreased strength of urine stream (weak flow)
• Dribbling upon urination
• Feeling that the bladder is not completely empty
• An urge to urinate again soon after urinating
• Painful urination
• Waking at night to urinate
• A sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate

Some pharmaceutical drugs including over-the-counter cold medicines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), Sudafed® and oxymetazoline spray (Afrin®), as well as antidepressants, diuretics and pain medications can either worsen BPH symptoms or cause urinary tract symptoms not related to BPH. In a study published in 2011, researchers found that common medications contribute to 10 percent of lower urinary tract symptoms among men. In fact, the study subjects who did not have BPH were more likely to be affected by the medications.²

It’s best to work with your doctor to make sure the symptoms you have really are caused by BPH. Other conditions such as urinary tract infections, prostatitis, prostate cancer, diabetes, heart failure and neurologic conditions, including lower back nerve dysfunction, can cause similar symptoms.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, aside from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 241,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer before the end of 2012.³

Prostate cancer has many of the same symptoms as BPH, including difficulty urinating and decreased force in the stream of urine. Other symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Swelling in the legs
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Bone pain (in advanced cases)

Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is defined as “urologic pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, associated with urinary symptoms and/or sexual dysfunction, lasting for at least three of the previous six months in the absence of any identifiable pathology such as cancer, a culturable infection or anatomic abnormalities.”⁴

If you’re a man and suffer from repeated bladder infections, you may have chronic infectious prostatitis. But the most common form is chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which is responsible for 90 percent of the cases.⁵ If you’ve had urinary and genital pain for at least three of the past six months and there’s no bacteria found in your urine, then you may have this condition.

PSA Generates Controversy

Most men over the age of 50 have likely had a digital rectal exam in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas known as nodules.

To detect prostate cancer, your doctor also may want to have you take a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. The test measures the amount of PSA, a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, in the patient’s blood.

Elevated PSA levels can be caused by many factors, including benign prostate enlargement or inflammation of the urinary tract, particularly the prostate. This is why additional tests are used with the PSA test. If the PSA test reveals anything suspicious, physicians will order a biopsy of prostate cells to confirm the diagnosis.

However, there is controversy revolving around the PSA test, namely because it’s uncertain whether the benefits of screening ultimately outweigh the risks of overdiagnosis.⁶ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in December 2011 reported that the test may not save lives, and after three or four screening rounds, 12 to 13 percent of screened men had false-positive results.⁷ It’s also well known that PSA can be elevated in men without prostate cancer, while men with prostate cancer may have normal levels of PSA.

However, in a Mayo Clinic study published in September 2012, researchers concluded that the PSA test is valuable in predicting which men should have biopsies and which are likely to be diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer.⁸

Researchers are working on developing other screening methods. In May 2012, scientists reported that they had developed a genetic test that outperformed the PSA test.⁹ For now though, the PSA test and digital rectal exams are the recommended screening options.

Possible Causes of Prostate Problems

A number of factors could be affecting the health of your prostate gland. One of those factors is environmental toxins. In rodents, exposure to methylmercury resulted in changes to the prostate, including hyperplasia and inflammation.¹⁰

Bisphenol A (BPA) is another environmental toxin that may harm the prostate gland. BPA is found in liners of metal cans, plastics and even cash register receipts. Evidence indicates that nearly everyone in the United States has BPA in his or her body. This affects nearly every aspect of bodily health—and the prostate is no exception. Researchers have shown that BPA disrupts prostate development in male mice at doses equivalent to human exposures.¹¹

In a study published in October 2011, researchers have shown that even low-dose BPA increased the prostate weight and volume in rats. BPA also decreased testosterone levels and increased prostate-specific antigen levels.¹²

In humans, epidemiological studies also have linked specific pesticides, PCBs and inorganic arsenic exposures to elevated prostate cancer risk.¹³

Additionally, use of the contraceptive pill in the population as a whole was significantly associated with both the number of new cases of prostate cancer and deaths from the disease in individual countries around the world. Researchers linked this association to the estrogenic metabolites of birth control pills that end up in the water supply and food chain in areas where oral contraceptive use is common.¹⁴

The Viral Link

Certain viral infections also are linked to the development of prostate cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are both present in most prostate cancers and may even team up with each other to promote the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Researchers have found a high-risk strain known as HPV 18—which is associated with other human cancers—in prostate samples.¹⁵

Viruses may also be the reason why some men with BPH experience symptoms while others do not.

According to a study published online in September 2012, scientists found that there is a greater anti-viral immune response in tissues from patients undergoing surgery to alleviate symptoms of BPH compared to tissue from BPH patients with no symptoms.¹⁶

A possible viral component to prostate concerns also explains why circumcision before a male’s first sexual intercourse may help protect against prostate cancer. This is because circumcision can prevent infections linked to the development of prostate cancer.¹⁷

Insulin Resistance

Another important factor regulating prostate health is insulin and blood sugar control. A study published in September 2012 showed that 166 Korean patients with the highest insulin had more than a 5.6 fold risk of advanced prostate cancer compared to those with the lowest levels.

The patients who scored highest on the insulin resistance index also had an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer compared to the group with the lowest scores on the index.¹⁸

The researchers concluded that elevated insulin and insulin resistance are associated with the advanced pathological stage of prostate cancer in Korean patients.¹⁸

Sliding Down a Sedentary Slope

Sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that sitting for long periods is associated with increased risk of cancers, including prostate cancer. One study published in December 2009 showed that, compared to men who mostly sit during their main work or occupation, men who sit half of the time experienced a 20 percent lower risk.¹⁹ Researchers believe this increased risk in sedentary people could be due to either weight gain due to lack of exercise or the insulin resistance that occurs in many sedentary people.²⁰

In my practice, I recommend the “G Seat®” to patients who have to sit for extended periods. The G Seat® is a lightweight cushion from Gelco Products that is ergonomically engineered to enhance comfort while seated. It has a five-degree forward slope to help return the pelvis to its proper position and disperse pressure at the point of contact to reduce low-back pain and help maintain proper lumbar curvature. This may also help to take pressure off of the prostate. (G Seat® may be purchased at www.gelcoproducts.com.)

Some people have expressed concern that bicycle saddles (seats) may contribute to pain and numbness in the groin and prostate as well as to erectile dysfunction. However, a review of the literature on bicycling and genitourinary disorders did not commonly find elevated PSA levels in bicyclists.²¹

For my patients who spend a lot of time on a bicycle, I recommend using a different type of saddle that is gentler on the prostate.²² Some available choices include:

• A noseless saddle (reduces saddle contact pressure in the perineal region)
• A recumbent seat made of nylon webbing (allows better air circulation around the buttocks and back)
• The split, dual-padded Easy Seat, or moon-shaped and horseshoe-shaped seats

Testosterone: Good Guy or Bad Guy?

In the past, men with prostate cancer or BPH were always warned to avoid anything that would increase testosterone levels. Even now, a standard form of conventional therapy for prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy, which reduces the amount of male sex hormones (including testosterone) in a man’s body.

The reason why testosterone has been blamed as the bad guy in regards to prostate health is because researchers thought that high testosterone levels could fuel prostate growth, inducing prostate cancer development or leading to a poor prognosis in prostate cancer. However, based on mounting evidence in the medical literature, scientists are beginning to realize that it’s actually low testosterone levels that are related to features of poor prostate health, such as higher PSA levels.²³

In one study of 137 men with prostate cancer published in 2012, the higher the testosterone level, the
smaller the tumor in the biopsy. The study authors found high testosterone levels in patients who had low risk of cancer progression.²³

Prostate Protection

As mentioned on page 4, environmental toxins can destroy prostate health. So your first step is to consume a good detoxification product. It’s also helpful to wash your hands after touching cash register receipts and avoid eating canned food or food stored in non-clear plastic.

Second, balance your insulin levels by consuming a diet low in white starches and sugars and high in vegetables, healthy protein and fiber.

Exercise is another essential component of an effective prostate-protecting program. Studies have shown that exercise can help prevent prostate cancer. A 10-year study published in 2009 found that, of 45,887 men aged 45 to 79 years, standing for most of the time during work or occupational activity and walking or bicycling more than 30 minutes per day during adult life was associated with reduced incidence of prostate cancer.²⁴

Supplemental Support

When most people think about natural solutions for prostate health, the conversation almost always starts with saw palmetto, especially when it comes to BPH. However, there has been some controversy around the effectiveness of this herb. Given this, we suggest looking into a few other botanicals and nutrients to promote prostate health, including beta sitosterol, stinging nettle, pygeum, cranberry and vitamin D.

Many studies have shown that beta sitosterol can help men with prostate concerns. In two randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical studies conducted on 350 men diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy, 60 to 130 mg beta-sitosterol taken daily for six months resulted in improved peak urinary flow rate, as well as an improvement in subjective symptoms of BPH.^25-27

Researchers have studied stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) for its ability to support prostate health. It’s been shown to improve lower urinary tract symptoms, reduce the international prostate symptom score and improve the maximum urinary flow rate.²⁸

Pygeum africanum supplementation has resulted in a moderately large improvement in the combined outcome of urologic symptoms and flow measures, an improvement in overall symptoms, reduced nocturia (urination in the middle of the night) and an increase in peak urine flow.²⁹

Cranberry, long known for its ability to prevent urinary tract infections, is emerging as another
prostate-protecting nutrient. Cranberries contain components that inhibit prostate cancer.

Additionally, research shows that men who consumed cranberries for six months had a statistically significant improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score, Quality of Life, urination parameters such as voiding parameters (rate of urine flow, average flow, total volume and post-void residual urine volume) and lower total PSA level.^30-31

Vitamin D

Studies are beginning to show that this vitamin plays a starring role in prostate health. In a study published in July 2012, 44 subjects who had low-risk prostate cancer took 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day for one year. At the study’s end, there was a decrease in the Gleason score, which measures the severity of prostate cancer. Cancers with a higher Gleason score are more aggressive and have a worse prognosis. After vitamin D3 supplementation, subjects also had a decrease in the number of positive biopsies.³²

Another study reported at the AACR Annual Meeting March 31 to April 4, 2012 indicated that vitamin D may slow prostate cancer cell growth as well.³³

In my clinical practice, my motto is “test, don’t guess,” so I recommend that you get your vitamin D levels tested to determine the exact amount of supplementation necessary. For anyone who tests below 55 ng/ml, it usually takes anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 IU per day to bring your levels up to normal.

Protect Your Quality of Life

A prostate gland that’s not working optimally can impair your quality of life, from having to get up in the middle of night to go to the bathroom to more painful symptoms that affect your emotional well-being. Even if you’re not feeling any outright symptoms, your prostate could be suffering in silence. Beginning a regimen to protect the prostate can relieve any existing symptoms or stop them from developing in the first place.

References:

1. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923194727.htm.
2. Wuerstle, MC. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2011;171(18):1680.
3. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerFactsFigures/cancer-facts-figures-2012.
4. Cohen JM, et al. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e41941.
5. WebMD. http://men.webmd.com/guide/prostatitis.
6. Gomella LG, et al. Can J Urol. 2011 Oct;18(5):5875-83.
7. Chou R, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Dec 6;155(11):762-71.
8. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2011/10/111021195456.htm.
9. Kader AK, et al. European Urology. 16 May 2012. [Epub ahead of print.]
10. da Silva DA, et al. Int J Exp Pathol. 2012 Oct;93(5):354-60.
11. Taylor JA, et al. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2011 Oct;127(1-2):83-95.
12. Wu JH, et al. Toxicol Ind Health. 2011 Oct;27(9):810-9.
13. Prins GS. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2008 Sep;15(3):649-56.
14. Margel D, Fleshner NE. BMJ Open. 2011;1:e000311. [Epub ahead of print.]
15. Whitaker NJ, et al. The Prostate. July 31, 2012. [Epub ahead of print.]
16. Madigan AA, et al. Genes Immun. 2012 Sep 6. [Epub ahead of print.]
17. Wright JL, et al. Cancer. 15 September 2012;118(18):4437-43.
18. Yun SJ, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2012 Sep;27(9):1079-84.
19. Orsini N, et al. Br J Cancer. 2009 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print.]
20. BM Lynch. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010 Nov;19(11):2691-709.
21. Leibovitch I, et al. European Urology. 2005;47:277-87.
22. Livestrong. http://www.livestrong.com/article/434782-bicycles-prostate-recovery/.
23. Garcia-Cruz E, et al. BJU Int. 2012 May 15. [Epub ahead of print.]
24. Orsini N, et al. British Journal of Cancer. 2009;101:1932-8.
25. Klippel KF, et al. Br J Urol. 1997;80:427-32.
26. Berges RR, et al. Lancet. 1995;345:1529-32.
27. No authors listed. Alternative Medicine Review. 2001;6(2):203-6.
28. Safarinejad MR. Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. 2005;5(4):1-11.
29. Ishani A, et al. The American Journal of Medicine. December 1, 2000;109:654-64.
30. Kondo M, et al. J Sci Food Agric. 2011 Mar 30;91(5):789-96.
31. Vidlar A, et al. Br J Nutr. 2010 Oct;104(8):1181-9.
32. Marshall DT, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 July;97(7):2315-24.
33. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2012/03/120331151134.htm.

http://www.wholehealthinsider.com/newsletter/2012/december/protecting-the-prostate/

Does Vitamin C Cause Kidney Stones?

The United States National Institute of Health estimates that 1 in every 10 people will develop kidney stones at some point in their lifetime.

Fact or Myth: Does Vitamin C Cause Kidney Stones?

Danica Collins

This is a MYTH.

One excruciatingly painful experience is all it takes to learn how to prevent kidney stones your primary goal in life. So it’s no wonder that you can fall prey to the inaccurate postings on some health watch sites that declare Vitamin C the enemy. You have a prime myth on your hands! 

Your kidneys filter waste products out of your blood and they are flushed from your body through your urine. Some of these waste materials do not completely dissolve and become lodged in the kidneys.

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis or renal stone disease) are hard masses that form from these small pieces of waste. There are three primary types of kidney stones.

3 Common Kidney Stone Types

1. Calcium Oxalate Stones – this is the most common type of kidney stone diagnosed in patients. Oxalate is found naturally in many types of foods, including nuts, fruits and vegetables. Metabolic disorders can also increase your body’s levels of calcium oxalate and lead to stones.
2. Struvite Stones – develop most often in response to a urinary tract infection (UTI) and get very big, very quickly.
3. Uric Acid Stones – people with gout or those who tend to suffer with chronic dehydration are diagnosed with this type of kidney stone more frequently. A high-protein diet has also been linked to the formation of uric acid stones.

Doctors have not determined exactly what causes kidney stones but they are believed to form when your body chemistry – water, nutrients and minerals – is out of balance. According to the Mayo Clinic, controlling the following factors will help prevent kidney stones.

Risk Factors

• Family history – if someone in your family gets kidney stones, your chances are higher.
• Adulthood – kidney stones can develop at anytime but are most prevalent in the 40 and up age group.
• Dehydration – not getting enough water, especially if you live in a warmer climate or sweat a lot.
• Diet – eating too much fat, sugar, salt or protein can lead to increased risk.
• Obesity – high body fat percentage and a larger waist have been linked to stone formation.
• Digestive disease or surgery – chronic bowel problems and gastric bypass affect your body’s ability to absorb and process calcium and water.

Prevention of Kidney Stones

In her book The Miracle of Magnesium, Dr. Carolyn Dean estimates that 80% of the United States population is magnesium deficient. The presence of adequate magnesium prevents calcium from bonding to oxalate and forming stones. This mineral keeps calcium in balance and plays a role in more than 300 biochemical tasks in your body.

A study from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom showed that Vitamin E-rich foods – such as sunflower seeds, asparagus, olives and corn – improved overall kidney function and may slow oxidative stress-related kidney failure.

The connection between vitamins B6 and D was evaluated in a research study conducted by the Linus Pauling Institute. Results showed that women who had sufficient amounts of these essential nutrients reduce their risk of developing kidney stones by two-thirds!

Foods abundant in vitamin B6 include tuna, garlic and tomatoes. You can increase your intake of vitamin D by eating cheese, shellfish, cream and butter.

7 Best Nutritional Choices for Healthy Kidneys

1. Water – drinking more water is the single most important change you can make to prevent kidney stones. Urologists agree that drinking no less than 80 ounces each day is crucial to kidney and urinary health.

2. Red Bell Peppers – a rich source of vitamins A, C, B6, folate and fiber, red peppers add bright color and powerful antioxidants to your meal.

3. Cabbage – high in vitamins C, B6, K and folate and very high in fiber, cabbage can be eaten fresh or added to soups, stews or entrees.

4. Cauliflower – abundant in vitamin C, folate and fiber.

5. Cranberries & Blueberries – the acids in berries prevent bacteria from attaching to the urinary walls while the high vitamin and fiber content make them a perfect addition to a kidney-friendly diet. Fresh or dried cranberries, blueberries or strawberries can be used in salads, smoothies or eaten alone.

6. Fish – a natural anti-inflammatory, fish pumps your body full of antioxidants while it controls inflammation. Your best choices are salmon, mackerel and tuna.

7. Grapes – work to cleanse excess uric acid from the kidneys and liver.

Maintaining reasonable calcium levels is recommended for total body health. By itself, calcium is not the culprit. It is only when calcium bonds to oxalate – an acid found in fruits and vegetables – that kidney stones may form.

Keeping your oxalate levels low – especially if you have a history of kidney stones – is crucial. Avoiding foods such as chocolate, strawberries, spinach, nuts and coffee is important to keep your daily intake below 50mg per day and help you to prevent kidney stones.

Prevent kidney stones with a few simple adjustments to your diet…but cutting out vitamin C isn’t necessary.

Further Related Reading:

• Fact or Myth: Can Cranberries Lower Blood Sugar?
• Spirulina Algae: The Worlds Most Nutrient Dense Food
• Health Benefits of Spinach Include Improving Memory

Source: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/prevent-kidney-stones

Black Raspberries Slow Cancer.....

Black Raspberries Slow Cancer by Altering Hundreds of Genes

Posted By Dr. Mercola | September 16 2008 | 54,677views

 

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New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents found in concentrated black raspberries could more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene.

Researchers examined the effect of freeze-dried black raspberries on genes altered by a chemical carcinogen in an animal model of esophageal cancer. The carcinogen affected the activity of 2,200 genes in the animals’ esophagus in only one week. However, 460 of those genes were restored to normal activity in animals that consumed freeze-dried black raspberry powder.

Black raspberries contain many vitamins, minerals, phenols and phytosterols, which are known to individually prevent cancer in animals.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

 

As always, the solutions to many chronic illnesses are right before our eyes, in the form of natural foods. Even though most people do better eating loads of vegetables, rather than fruits (because of the sugar they contain), berries are packed with disease-fighting properties and clearly have many health benefits to offer.

For instance:

• Blueberries contain antioxidants that can slow the aging process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer.

• Cherries are rich in queritrin -- a flavonoid that's a potent anti-cancer agent -- and ellagic acid (another potent anti-cancer agent).

• Strawberries contain phytonutrients called phenols that protect your heart, fight cancer and are anti-inflammatory.

• Blackberries contain antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and ellagic acid, all of which may protect against cancer and fight chronic disease.

• Cranberries are rich in polyphenols, a potent antioxidant, and researchers have found that they may inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells and reduce the risk of gum disease and stomach ulcers.

• The acai berry, a Brazilian berry, contains antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells. In fact, the berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested.

Black raspberries seem to be particularly potent cancer fighters as well. These fruits are actually different than both red raspberries and blackberries, and are slightly harder to find because there aren’t many cultivators (the majority of black raspberries in the United States are grown in Oregon). Meanwhile, only a small percentage of these berries are sold fresh, which means if you want to enjoy black raspberries you may need to look for them frozen.

Interestingly, while blueberries are high up there in terms of antioxidant content, black raspberries actually have about three times the antioxidant levels of blueberries, according to the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission. Their coloring is also so incredibly deep that the USDA used black raspberry juice for their meat stamps for a number of years.

Fruit is Not for Everyone

Even with all of their antioxidants, large quantities of berries and other fruits are not ideal for everyone. To a large extent, whether or not fruits are good for you depends on several factors including:

• Your current state of health
• Your nutritional type
• The type of fruit

If you are overweight, have diabetes or high blood pressure you are best off avoiding fruits or limiting them to a small handful of berries a day. If you are currently healthy, a small amount of fruit should not be a problem as long as you follow the guidelines of your nutritional type.

For example, if you’re a protein type, fruits are generally not beneficial for you with the exception of coconut, which has a higher fat content that is beneficial for protein types.

On the other hand, carbohydrate types tend to fare well with fruit and can safely consume moderate amounts. This is an important distinction, and all nutritional types should try to eat primarily the specific fruits that are best for their unique biochemistry.

What Other Foods Work to Fight Cancer?

Berries are great superfoods, but they are far from the only ones. Other potent foods to include in your anti-cancer diet include:

• Broccoli and broccoli sprouts
• Apples
• Garlic and onions
• Green tea
• Turmeric and curry powders
• Red chili peppers
• Mushrooms

Ideally, eating a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and spices that correspond to your nutritional type will give you phenomenal protection against many cancers and other diseases.

As the researchers in the above study pointed out, even though black raspberries appear very promising in the fight against cancer, they alone are not enough. You need to eat a variety of other nutrient-dense foods that will work synergistically to keep your body disease-free.

And looking at the big picture, diet, though important, is only one facet of cancer prevention as well. This past article has a comprehensive list of how to best keep cancer away with simple lifestyle changes.

Source: Science Blog August 28, 2008

Source: Cancer Research August 1, 2008, 68, 6460-6467

Related Links:

Treating Cancer -- With Herbs

Could Too Many Antioxidants be as Bad as Too Few?

Blueberry Hamburgers for Your Health

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/09/16/black-raspberries-slow-cancer-by-altering-hundreds-of-genes.aspx
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